Hoyer Statement on Resolution Condemning Rocket Attacks on Israel

For Immediate Release:

March 5, 2008

Contact Info:

Stacey Farnen Bernards(202) 225 - 3130

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House passed H.Res. 951 (condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians) by a vote of 404 to 1:

“This resolution is a very strong statement of support by this House for our nation’s one true ally in the Middle East, the State of Israel, which has faced clearly criminal rocket attacks by Palestinian terrorists against Israeli civilians over the last three years.

“The international media has focused great attention on Israel’s action in Gaza over the last week to combat these attacks. But the truth is that Israel’s actions constitute nothing less than justifiable self-defense.

“This Congress – and the American people – will not succumb to propaganda which labels Israel’s actions ‘unjustified’ or an ‘over-reaction.’ Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Hamas and other terrorists organizations have fired more than 4,000 rockets or mortar shells at Israel.

“None of us doubts that if a neighboring country launched daily rocket attacks on American citizens on American soil that this nation would respond overwhelmingly and decisively to combat that threat and to do what was necessary to protect our people. And I seriously doubt that we would wait three years to do so.

“Israel has shown great restraint and patience, despite these indiscriminate terrorist attacks on her people, including children. Like any sovereign nation, Israel retains the right of self-defense. This Resolution is an important statement reiterating that right, and reaffirming the strong bond that exists between our two nations.”